Panic Free - The Book

Dr. Raynard's eagerly anticipated book, Panic Free, is finally here! Richard C. Raynard, Ph.D., known as "The Panic Doctor" to thousands of panic sufferers, has compiled a state-of-the-art guide to recovery and freedom from panic. In writing the book, Dr. Raynard draws on his experiences with over 3000 phobic men and women, and of over 30 years treating them.

Dr. Raynard is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. His specialty is the field of anxiety disorders, which include panic disorders, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorders, post-traumatic disorders, and the varying degrees of anxiety. His ground-breaking treatments led to the start of successful specialized programs including Upward Bound, the Fear of Flying program held at Boston's Logan International Airport from the 1980's to early 90's, as well as programs for public speaking and driving phobia. He has performed extensive research into the causes, treatments and costs of phobia, and has presented before the Phobia Society of America, the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, the Massachusetts Psychological Association and other prestigious national conferences. Because of his specialization and authority in this field, Dr. Raynard has been a popular guest on radio, television and print media, receiving invitations to appear on Oprah, and other popular talk shows. Dr. Raynard has authored a national newsletter Phobic Update, as well as two books on panic and phobias.

After receiving and reviewing an advance copy of the book, I am impressed by the comprehensiveness of the book. Dr. Raynard has managed to put panic in perspective, but at the same time does not minimize how overwhelming and destructive it can be. He sheds new light on the forces that keep panic going, as well as the behaviors and beliefs that people develop which allows panic to become so overpowering.

Best of all, Panic Free provides realistic steps you can take to take back control! This is all done in a thoughtful, easy look-up format. Dr. Raynard's conversational manner is calming in itself, and you'll easily be able to imagine sitting across from this warm, soft-spoken, sincere therapist. To understand more on how the book is written, and to sample the "flavor" of the book, it takes just meeting Dr. Raynard and hearing his approach to counseling his patients. As he describes, "My priority is first to listen with feeling, exploring my client's experiences, concerns and also their life satisfactions - the things they truly love in life, as these are so very important. They become goals to quickly restore so that life again becomes satisfying and joyful. In treatment, we clarify the problems, then explore different treatment methods. While I lean towards the cognitive/behavioral methods, I draw on a wide range of approaches so that they fit the needs of my client." This is perhaps the most difficult thing for the average phobic to do. Most of the books on panic that I am familiar with are sound in content, but do not help you see how you can apply the methods to your own situation. Amazingly, Dr. Raynard has managed to do this with his book Panic Free.

Panic Free gives clear, factual information about causes and treatments, so that readers get direction and reassurance right away, without making it frightening. Dr. Raynard does not hold back. He easily shares what he has learned over the years in a step-wise, easy-to-understand language. Discussions of worry controls, handling sensitivities, developing calming methods, use of a partner, and a plan for desensitization are all geared to help you achieve early successes. In addition, Dr. Raynard handles all of the frequently encountered barriers to recovery such as poor sleep, unsupportive partner, time pressures, negative thinking....and much more. A slight edge of humor keeps the book from reading like a textbook or becoming boring, and in fact, it draws you in and excitement builds.

The self-tests in the book are ones that Dr. Raynard himself developed and and has used with his phobic clients since the mid 1970's when he founded his Fear Clinic in Boston, which later was renamed the Anxiety & Phobia Center. The set of tests are designed to help identify sensitivities and keep you on course, and can be an valuable recovery tool.

I've heard over and over again how alone and trapped panic makes you feel. Panic Free covers all types of phobia, using over 100 actual, inspiring cases as illustrations. For each phobia, it gives you the motivation, skills and action plans to eliminate panic for good. A unique Travel Kit goes with you, including the book itself, into every panic situation. Panic Free spells out the attitudes, skills and success plan you need for your complete recovery. Action plans for virtually every type of phobic situation are covered in detail, as well as suggestions for adapting the plans to suit your specific situation.

Simply put, Panic Free is designed to inspire and motivate you to complete recovery. Visit the book's Table of Contents and see for yourself.

Part I Motivation and panic
Ch 1 A Jumpstart - Fasten your seatbelt, we're on our way!
Ch 2 Motivation - Lighting the fires of desire
Ch 3 The Nature of Panic - The beast unmasked
Ch 4 Desensitization - Wearing panic out
Ch 5 Worry Control - Disarming the terrorist within
Ch 6 Calming Methods - Mastery of you and the situation
Ch 7 Avoiding - Success in facing up to fear

Part II Preparation for action
Ch 8 Self-testing - Keeping on course
Ch 9 Partner/helper - Safety when you need it
Ch 10 Medication - Revving yourself down
Ch 11 Travel kit - Launching yourself to freedom

Part III Action for success
Ch 12 Symptom Desensitization - No more fear of fear
Ch 13 Driving - Getting your world back
Ch 14 Vehicles - Enjoying your passenger time
Ch 15 Stores - Reclaiming your shopping rights
Ch 16 Waiting - Making a wait your best time
Ch 17 Talking up - Renewing your social life
Ch 18 Meetings - Joining in wherever you are
Ch 19 Criticism - Having your critics cheer for you
Ch 20 Airplanes - Flying the friendly skies
Ch 21 Doctors - Putting your doctor to work for you
Ch 22 Crowds - Getting in the swim again
Ch 23 Being alone - Being your best friend
Ch 24 Bugs, etc. - God's creatures big and small

Part IV Finishing up
Ch 25 Setbacks - Getting back in charge
Ch 26 Self-defeat - Vanquishing the inner saboteur
Ch 27 Barriers - Overcoming the obstacles to finshing
Ch 28 Finishing - Realizing it's truely over

Panic Free is a wonderful, well-written book which is bound to be a valued companion to people who panic or are phobic. It's positive, up-beat flavor is sure to get you excited to start your recovery. I highly recommend Panic Free. It will be an insightful teacher to those who panic, as well as professionals wanting to learn more on treating panic effectively.

Panic Free: Breaking out of your prison of panic can be ordered directly from Dr. Raynard by visiting his website at www.panicdoctor.com.

Contributed by Andrea White. Andrea has worked in the medical profession for over 25 years and spent 16 years working in the mental health field. She is webmaster of Dr. Raynard's website, and has held a long-time interest in panic and phobias. She volunteered to read and review Dr. Raynard's book when she heard of it's impending release. Panic Free is available through Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Trafford Publishing or direct from Dr. Raynard, the Panic Doctor.